irwig



Dec. 6, 1927. 1,651,707

F. IRWIG RADIOGRAPHIC ATTACHMENT FOR X-RAY MACHINES Filed Feb. 16. 19253 Sheets-Sheet 1 3% LHB iQQ jVVENIOR BY W I AITTORNEY Dec. 6, 1927.

F. IRWIG RADIOGRAPHIC ATTACHMENT FOR X-RAY MACHINES Filed Feb. 16; 19253 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTUR ATTORNEY Dec. 6, 1927.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb 16, 1925 A TTORNE V or noticed it indicatesthat the stomach and duodenum are. anatomically normal, but if stomach;

and duodenum are d1seern1ble through a 30" Patented Dec. 6, 1927.

\ UNITED STATES FRED: IRWIGg, OE KANS'AQGITYQMISSOURL RADIOGRAPHIGATTACHMENT EORX-RAY MACHINES.

Application filed February This invention relates to X-ray machines and,particularly to that part of the" machine which has to do withfluoroscopic examinations and photographic exposures of parts of thehuman body.

Under the present practice it is eomp'arw tively easy to makephotographic exposures of parts of the human body which are in reposedcondition and also a satisfactory radiograpliic picture of a heal-tinactionjca n be made by a momentary exposure, hut in this case it isalinost meaningless and Without any diagnostic value.

There are situations Where photographic exposures, under presentpractice inust be made iii a more or less haphazard and un satisfactorymanner'. For example, inititestinal-Wor'h the operator isnever positivethat the exposures are made at the time that the inuscula'in wave, whichWiltpresent the diseased part to the photographic plate, is in that partof the cycle to give a picture of the bestdia'gnosticvalue The stomachis constantly going through a series of muscular movements," expansionsand contractions, (p erisistai'sisl) which alterr'iate' during digestionand evacuation of the Certain diseases of the stomach fiuoroseope andare indicated" by "the outline of the organ which is always changingthrough the action of the perisistal'sis, alternat'ely presenting andcovering" the diseased parts. w

, Anatomic changes are mostly found at the junction of the stomach andduodenum and a picture taken durii'ig the expulsion of thes't'o'maclrcontent into theduodennm is almost never of anydiagnosticvaliie, therefore it is liighly'i nportant to get that partofthe cycle int which at distinct line of separation is visible betweenthe stomach and the duodenum. It, for exa'inplathe line\vhielilseparates the dnodenalamp fromthe stomaehiis straight and noother detormationsarefound the line, appears jagged or brokenthete are'indications of a diseased condition, theretoraduring thecycle oimuscular expansions and contractions the actual condition ot' thestomach will. be more apparent at one time than at another so it 13important to make the exposures when the condition is most apparent. i

There are many other possibilities for the 1'6; 1525. serial No. 9,567:

useflot my inventio'n. There areman con ditions. Where a picture has tobeta en at a speciali angle to give" a" satisfactory View, Attention iscalled to the radiographic tec'hnic' of dhodenal pictures to pictures ofthe aorta and co-that ofmediastinum ("that means the zone between theheart and the spine) and tothe diflic'ulties' which may arise inpictures of joints, For example, before my invention the angle Whichgave the best View had to be determined by a fluoroscopic examination:Then the fluoroscopic screen was replaced by plate and the picture wastaken. I nthe'interim'the patient had often changed liisorher position,or the plate had inoved and a' worthlessipictnre was obtained.Likewlseit Was necessary to make a number photographicexposures ofthe'stomach and? duodenum in' an endeavor to have pictures of eachstepin the cycle of the muscular movements of the parts beingphotographed. This was dbnevvithoutany positive assurance" that aphoto'graphib exposure was madeoi? every step, or everyinovenient, soit" Will be apparent that in many cases photographs were made Withoutdeveloping,

the actual condition of the part of the body diseased; W1thj myinvention; however, it

is. possibleto. obtain a. photographer each step" or desired muscular?contraction or movement and it is also possible to obtain definitelythat angle? .or' that intended position and View of the organ beingfphototime and position make an instantaneous photograph, upon' a photoraphic film, so t'hat he can he sure that he hasobtained theparticular'step; or if: necessary, each stepin thecycle of operations ofthe part of the body examiiied;

An important feature of my invention is that the operator may actuallyview the object from the beginning of: the fluoroscopic examinationuntiland While the exposure is beinginade andhthatitisl possible to obtainpictures of a size as much as one foot in vertical diameters This issatisfactory for any kind of an examination and this size picture may bemade W1th an apparatus not larger than a normal fluoroscop c frame.

' An important feature of my invention is beside the other in a linealdirection.

Another striking feature of the invention is that on account of thesimple arrangement of the fluoroscopic screen and the photographicplate, and the alternating working of the last in a longitudinaldirection, a rapidity, perfection, number and size of picture may beobtained as has been impossible heretofore with any machine or apparatusof which I have knowledge. Attention is 'also'called to the importantfact that all the pictures are obtained upon one film, one This is forthe comparison of the pictures with each other and is of immensediagnostic value. p There are means provided for controlling themilliamperage of the filament of the Coolidge tube in accordance withWhether afiuorosc'opic examination is being made or a radiographicpicture is being taken. Ob-

viously when'a fluoroscopic examination is being made the intensityofthe' light source,

and therefore the quantity or the Roentgen rays, will be less than'whenthe radiograpliic picture is being made. i

There is a wiring in the cassette which also automatically changes thehigh tension current from a lower voltageto a higher voltage by a doublesolenoid arrangement that l[ have provided means i'or automaticallyfeeding'the film by' the movement of the carriage which carries the,film holder. The film, may be put in the holder in daylight, and thereare other refinements of the invention which will be specificallydescribed hereinafter, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,"in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my invention applied. I u

Fig. 2 is a wiring diagram for the electric circuits. i

Fig' 3 is a detai1ed, perspectiveview of I the film feeding gear Fig. 4is a sectional view through, the

end of the film holder supporting the gear.

Fig. 5' is asectional view film holder and carriage.

Fig. 6 is" an enlarged,*deta1led, perspecthrough the ftive View of thefluoroscopic cassette, can

riag'e' and appertenances.

Fig. 7 s is a longitudinal, sectional view through-the cassette and carrage from the nside looking toward the operators side of Fig. 8 is avertical, longitudinal, sectional view through the cassette andcarriage.

I have shown'tlie cassette supported' trom a frame ofan X-ray machine 1in a vertical lposition butit may, with equal facility, be

supported upon an X ray machine in a hori-' zontal position dependentupon the desires of the user; ltis important to make X-ray body,although it is better to take duodenal pictures while the patient is ina reclining pOSltlOl1,'&5O it is to be here understood that the positionof the Iii-ray machine proper will not ailect the elficiency of myinvention.

The cassette may also be mounted in a standingframe, especially made forthis apparatus, and any X-ray tube may be put be hind it and deliver theRoentgen rays.

The cassette 2 is supported on a bracket 3 which may have a swingingmovement with respectto the machine and the cassette may be adjustedtoward and away :t'rom the panel 4: of the X-ray machine 1. The cassette2 is in the form of a hollow casing having a receptacle portion 5 with acover plate (5. The middle portion of the bottom "i' of the receptacle 5has a curvature or concavity 8 adapted to receivethe torso, and on thereverse side of the concave wall, that is over the convexity, is a Buckydiaphragm comprising a plurality of alternately laminated lead and woodstrips flexibly connected together so that the diaphragm may flex as itmoves back and forth over the bottom of the receptacle 5.

well known to those skilled in the art. The top or cover 6 is providedwith a swinging placed to exhibit the Roentgen rays coming from the'tubeand behind the fluoroscopic screen an intensifying screen 12 is pressedto strengthen and intensity the rays to be thrown on the plate. Thefluoroscopic screen 12 is opposite and in line with the concavoconvexportion 8 of the cassette so that the plate 14;, covered with anotherintensitying Y screen 12 over which the film 15 moves, the plate 14being approximately the size of the exposed portion of the film, eachtime a photograph is to be made, and at this time it should stated thatthe table or plate 14 israpproiqimately coextensive with thefluoroscopic screen. On both vertical edges of the table are two slenderrollers 141: and

.14" over which the film takes its way.

The film holder has two approximately cylindrical lead lined pockets 16and 17 in one of which 18 a film roll 18 and the other "a spool or reel19 upon which the film may be wound as the film is paid oil. In the endsof the pocket 17 are bushings 20, one at each end, although only one isshown in detail n F gs. 3 and 4:. Each bushing su 'iports a rotatablegear 21 carrying a spring pressed The diaphragm is designated by thereference numeral 9 and its construction is door 10 carrying a leadglar-S panel. 11. Be; hind this panel a fluoroscopic screen 12 is theblades into engagement er l cense-r paw-h or dog 22 whichis adapted toengage with the teeth ofa ratchet 23 rigid on the Bushing 20 so thatwhen the gears 21 are rotatedfin'one direction the dogsor pawls'22 will,by engagement with the teeth or the ratchet", rotatethe spool or reel towind olt a determined aniount oi film from the iilin roll 18; but whenthe gears 21 are rotated in" an opposite direction the pawl or dog 22will ride over the teeth of the ratchet 28 Without imparting anyrotative movement to the spool or reel 19. The gears are rotated whenthe carriage is shifted from the 0perators right to thelett (Fig. 1, orfrom left to right, Fig. 7) this being due tothe factthat' the teeth ofthe gears 21 meslr with the teeth or" the rack bars 2d and 25 longitadhnally disposedwithin the casing and secured to'the cover 6. Therefore,when the carriage lSlDOVGtl froln operators right to left a new exposedportion of the him will he reeled oli'theroll lSand When the carriagereaches theliinit oi itsinovenient from the operators right, outofregister with the fluoroscopic screen, it will he held in this positiontelnporarily by a latch 26 adapted to engage a hook 27 on the'endot thecarriage. .ln this position the filin is'protected against the lilra ysbya lead panel 91. The particular con struction of the latch mechanism,however, is unimportant since any device will suflice which willperinitrelease by a button 28 or its equivalent. "When the carriage lSl'llOVGClfronr operators right to left out of line with the fluoroscope it loadstwo tension spr1ngs29 and 30, anchored to the cassette at 31 and 32 andtothe carriage at 33 and 3 1 consequently when the carriage is releasedb ressino the button 2Sthe s orinos 3 P s v a will retract the carriagehacl: to the original positionshown inli ig; G and Fig; ,so that it willhe in line, both Wlili'l the fluoroscope and the concavity 8; Thesesprings, theretoreg consist' of pieces of wire, the scales oi tl iespringsbeingthat which is necessary to perfornrthe worle of returningthe carriage.

'lhe'reel' or spool 19zis provided at its ends with slits 35 to receivethe blades oi the springpressed bolts 3?, the sprir e the s thatwhenthehushings are rotated the s will be rotated.

It is desirable to move the Biicliy diaphragm over tlie'conoavoeonveitportion 8 of the frame while the exposure is being made for thephotographic him so as to counteract the second arv rays, so I haveprovided means whereby the movement of the V one or more dependinglug-s39 on thewaw riage which may engage a similar lug or lugs ll) onthe diaphragm so that as the carriage isinoved from operator 's rightwtoleft "he diaphragm will he moved from right to left and when itreachcsits limiti of move went from right to left will st-rikea helltappe in to ring the hell lZ Which-wlll im dicate the n'ioveinent of thediaphragm has taken place and eadjy' foruse; The die phlegm is connectedto a rod 43 projecting into a cylinder- 4hr and carryingon its-'end apiston is between 1 which and the end of the cylinder is anexpansionspring 4 6 put under compression when the diaphragm is movedtron] left to right (Fig. 8) by 'tlie carni'a'ge.

It will be apparent that as long as the carriage is in its latchedposition the spring 46 will be in itscoinpressed position but as soon asthe carriage moves away the bellMlQ will ring again and the spring 46'will be free to return the diaphragm to the left (Fig. 8). It isdesirous that the movement oi the diaphragm he of speedlessthanztfhespeed of the carriage so as the speed otthe carriage is accelerated byits springs and 30 the movement of the diaphragm retarded by reason ofthe fact thati t'hc cyliiid r and the pistoir act as a check or dashpot, the rate of movement oi the diaphragm being 'overned by a valve 4:.to wary the effective port area of an opening 48 in: a tube 49 connectedwith one end. otthe inder le. When the diaphragm reachesthe limit of itsmovement from left to right it tale signal.

When the carriage hRSl'JBGIllIiOVQLl fhoni operator s right to left orleft to right shown in Fig: 7 also the movement of the i diaphragm hastaken place and the'hook 27 has engaged the latch 26, tlie'contacts ofthe right side otthe carriage are on connection with the contacts whichare found on the right side of the cassette (Fig.4 7). The lamp 623 willbe illuminated. Theirheostat 62 is cut in the inillianiperage linefandthe filament oi: the Xa'av tube will'beenergized by the lowerinillialnperage; Also a higher resistanceis cut in the primary currentwhich goes to the transformer by a double solenoid arrangement;

It the foot switch Gatis depressed the lamp 63 goes out, the hight-ension cirouit withxthe lower voltage is in the line and the cassetteis ready for fluoroscopic use It thebuttoni 28 is pressed the hook 27will be released and the carriage and diaphragm move from right to left(Figs. 7 and 8) to align with the fluoroscopic screen and with theportion 8 of thecassette. The rheo-stat 62 is not energized therefore ahigher milliampe'rage goes to the filament. The resistance which was cutin the primary current of the transformer by the solenoid arrangement isnot now energized.

Vhen the carriage reaches the limit of its movement from right to left(Fig. 7) the contacts 56 and 57 on the carriage which contact with thecontacts 58 and 59 in the insulatedbar 60, carried by the cassette, cometogether.

The sets of magnets 52 and 53 are now energized, which draw-s down thefluoroscopic screen upon the film to hold the film tight on its tablebetween the two intensifying screens. These magnets are best shown inFigs. 5 and 6. Between each set of magnets is placed an angulated arm,which keeps the fluoroscopic screen with the lead panel away from thefilm during fluoroscoping. If the magnets are energized the screen isdrawn down and the angulated arm 5a in the set 53 contacts with thecontact 55 (see Fig. 5) to close the high tension circuit with thehigher Voltage, which is used for .radiographic work. If the foot buttonis released by elevating the foot, or regulated by a timer, the hightension current is broken and the lamp 63 will be illuminated again. Itwill be noticed that the arm 54 in the set 52 does not carry contacts asdoes the arm 54- in the set 53.

arrangement of the primary transformer current if the foot button 6a isdepressed. The connections for the various parts are illustrated in the:wiring diagram. (see Fig. 2). v

I prefer to provide means for numbering the exposures of the sensitizedfilm so on the door 10 I provide a disk shaped stencil 77,

- rotatable about the pivot pin 78, the stencil having cut out portionsto provide numbers in consecutive order. The periphery ofthe stencil isprovided with teeth. 79 adapted to be energized by a spring 80 on thecarriage so that as the carriage moves from the position for making theexposure the spring will strike one of the projections to bring thestencil portion corresponding to the proper number in position to beprinted. When the film or sensitized material is photographed anddeveloped the number will appear on the proper portion thereof as willbe well understood. For convenience I pre fer to arrange bullers in theform of dash pots 81 and 8:2 at the left hand portion (Fig. 7) of thecassette to take up the shock of the carriage when the carriage movesinto printing position.

I have not followed out the circuits in detail because that will beobvious from the diagram in Fig. 2, but attention is called to the factthat the milliamperage rheostat 62 is inserted in the circuit by thecontact which meets the contact 66. The bars 85 and 85 which are ofdifferent length are connected to the milliamperage line through usualwires 84: and 84. Over the bars 85 slide or rub the contacts 83 and 83to make and break the circuit and also connect with contact 65, as isclearly indicated by reference to the diagram in Fig. 2 and in Fig. 7.

There may be many refinements in the actual commercial embodiment of theinvention without departing from the generic principle herein involved,so I do not wish to be limited to each specific detail of constructionillustrated in the annexed drawings but reserve the rightto make suchchanges as properly come within the scope of the appended claims. Itwill be apparent, however, that with the construction illustrated theoperator can move the carriage manually from his right to left so thatthe latch members 26 and 27 will engage and hold the carriage away fromthe lluoroscopic screen while the operator is making his observations.

As heretofore explained the movement of the carriage in one direction,which according to the illustration (see Fig. 7) is from right to left,sets the printing or radiographic mechanism, including the Buckydiaphragm, and the other appertenances ready to make the exposureprovided of course that the operators foot is on the foot switch 64cthen at the proper time the but ton 28 may be depressed to release thecarriage allowing it to sweep into position, opening the highermilliamperage and higher voltage circuit make the exposure which will beterminated as soon as the operator takes his foot oif the foot switch,or will be regulated by a timer.

The device may be applied to existing types of X-ray machines withoutmaterially altering their construction, it being necessary of course toslightly rearrange some of the circuits to make them conform to myinvention, but the changes required will be minimized by the fact thatthey can be followed out by any skilled electrician.

The cassette may be manufactured in any special individual frame whichwill permit memoir use i the contacts of the cassettemay be attachedeasily and practically 1 stantaneousiy. it the cassette is ,not in usethe same special Toot switch may be used for all LLray Work.

To change the primary transformer cur rent a special double solenoid, orsimilar arrangement, may be used but the current may also'be changedbyhand.

The lead,panels.91 and ill and the lead pockets 16 and 1'? Wouldbesutiicient to protect the film and the body. "i the operatoragainstthe Roentgen rays ii? the l=-rayti1be has an arrangement as usualto limit the .Roentgen rays, it not raiore lead protection may beapplied to the cassette.

Obviously it iscomparatively easy to have the cassette madeso that themovement or the carriage can be in any direction. It for any specialreason ,it ,is desired to make a picture larger than could be obtainedwith the illustrated embodiment oi my inven tion it will be necessary tomake the cassette somewhat larger, on that side toward which thecarriage moves to permit additional travel of the carriage. This willresultin reelingbfi' more film each time the carriz'ige is operatedpinone direction, consequently each exposure will been a larger-filmportion than would be the case Withthe construction illustrated.

The carriage can be moved away from the screen by graspingthehandle'SY,which "has sidebars projecting through the slots "88 and 89. Thehan'dlemay be of any ap propriate construction. If desired the carriage can bemoved in both directions by a .motor arrangement.

Attention is also called to the tact that with my apparatus the lengthof the film strip -is limited only by the capacity otthe spools,therefore a relatively large number of exposures maybe made one afterthe other in longitudinal or lineal. alignment upon a single strip andinasmuch as the exposures on the film Will bear the same relativeposition, one to the other that the movements in the cycle of operationof the organ photographed bear-s. The value of this arrangement will beapparent.

WhatI 'claim and desirc to secure by Letters-Patent is 1. In a machineof the class described, a cassette, a fluoroscopicscreen, a movablecarriagc on the cassette back of the fluoroscopic screen having meansfor carrying; a sensitised materiahand means for mechanically movin thecarriage into line With the fluoroscopic screen.

2. In a machine of the class described, a cassette, a fluoroscopicscreen, a holder for sensitized material located at the rear of thescreen, means for moving the material across the screen in a linealdirection, and means for numbering the exposures consecutively as theyare made by passing the material across the screen.

3. In a machine oi the class described, a cassette, a fluoroscopicscreen, a holder for sensitized material located the rear of the screen,layers of light intensifying material parallel with the screenbetyveenwhich the sensitized material passes, and means for clamping thesensitized material between the layers of light intensifying material.

4:. Ina machine of the class described, a cassette, a fluoroscopicscreen, a movable carriage 011 the cassette located at the rear of thescreen and having means tor carryinga sensitized material, means formechanically moving the carriage into line with the fluoro' scopicscreen, an Iii-ray tube, and means for energizing and changing themilliamperage and high tension or the "l Lray tube.

5. In a machine otthe class described, a cassette, a fluoroscopic screenin fined position on the cassette, a carriage, means for normally urgingthe carriage in line with the screen, means for latching the carriage inottset position with respect to the screen,

means for releasin the carriage, and a se: tized medium carriedby thecarriage for making radiographs of the object in front of the screen.

(3. A cassette, a carriage movableacrossthe cassette, means for normallyholding the carriage against movement, means tor moving the carriage toalign with an object in front of the cassette, a sensitized mediumcarried by the carriage, two intensifying screen members between whichthe sensitized. medium may pass, electromagnetic means for clamping thesensitized medium between the screen members, a Buchy diaphragm on thecassette, and means controlled by the movement oft-he carriage foreffecting movementot the Bucky diaphragm.

7. A cassette, a carriage movable across the cassette, means fornormally holding the carriage against movement, means for moving thecarriage to align with an object in front of the cassette, a sensitizedmedium carried by the carriage, a Bucky diaphragm on the cassette, andmeans controlled by the movement of the carriage for efiecting movementof the Bucky diaphragm across the carriage.

8. A cassette, a carriage movable across the cassette, means fornormally holding the carriage against movement, means for moving thecarriage to align with an object in front of the cassette, a sensitizedmedium carried by the carriage, a Bucky diaphragm on the cassette, meanscontrolled. by the movement of the carriage for efl'ecting movement ofthe Bucky diaphragm acrossthe carriage, and means for causing the Buckydiaphragm to travel at, a speed less than the speed of the carriage.

9. A cassette, a carriage movable across the cassette, means fornormally holding the carriage against movement, means for moving thecarriage to align with an object in front of the'cassette, a sensitizedmedium carried by the carriage, a Bucky diaphragm on the cassette, meanscontrolled by the movement of the carriage for efiecting move ment ofthe Bucky diaphragm across the carriage, means for causing the Buckydiaphragm to travel at a speed less than the speed of the carriage, andfor controlling the movement of the Bucky diaphragm after the carriagehas come to a state of rest.

10. A cassette, a carriage movable across the cassette, means fornormally holding the carriage against movement, means for moving thecarriage to align with an object in front of the cassette, a sensitizedmedium carried by the carriage, a Bucky diaphragm onthe cassette, meanscontrolled by the movement of the carriage for effecting movement of theBuckydiaphragm across the carriage, and means for causing the Buckydiaphragm to travel at a speed less than the speed of the carriage forcontinuing the movement of the diaphragm after the carriage has come toa state of rest.

11. In a machine of the class described, a cassette, a radiographiccarriage on the eassette, means for traversing the carriage across thecassette, means for stopping the carriage in position to align with anobject in front of it, a table carried by the carria-ge, a filmcontaining roll at one end of the table, a reeling spool at the otherend of the table, a rack carried by the cassette, and a gear in meshwith the rack for driving the reeling spool when the carriage moves inone direction.

12. In a machine of the class described, a cassette, a radiographiccarriage on the eassette, means for traversing the carriage across thecassette, means for stopping the carriage in position to align with anobject in front of it, a table carried by the carriage, a filmcontaining roll at one end of the H table, a reeling spool at the otherend of the table, a rack carried by the cassette, a gear in mesh withthe rack for driving the reeling spool when the carriage moves in onedirection, and an escapement for the reeling spool high tension currentwith low voltage when the carriage is out of line with the X-ray tube,and means controlled by the carriage for cutting in a highermilliamperage and high tension current with higher voltage when thecarriage is in line with the X-ray tube.

14. In a machine of the class described, a cassette, a carriage movableacross the eassette, means for manually actuating the carriage, a tablecarried by the carriage, means for feeding film across the table,intensifying screens between which the film passes, a fluoroscopicscreen carried by the cassette, and means for automatically causing thecarriage to align with the screen.

15. In a machine of the class described, a cassette, a carriage movableacross the eassette, means for manually actuating the carriage, a tableon the carriage, means for feeding film across the table, a fluoroscopicscreen carried by the cassette, means for antomatically causing thecarriage to align with the screen, an X-ray tube having a high voltagefilament in fixed position in line with the screen, and meanautomatically op erable by the carriage for energizing a conductor tothe tube filament.

16. In a machine of the class described, a cassette, a fluoroscopicscreen carried by the cassette, a sensitized medium for radiographing anobject in front of the fluoroscope, and means for bringing thesensitized medium into and out of alignment with the fluoroseope.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

FRED IRVVIG.

